Toyota PREVIA DIESEL RANGE
Toyotas Futuristic Previa Now Features Their D-4D Diesel Engine Giving It Intergalactic Range. Andy Enright Reports
Over 650 miles one on tankful of fuel is quite some achievement. That would get the
Toyota Previa D-4D down to the French Alps without stopping once to refuel. What does that mean in terms of time saved? Not a whole lot. If you stopped three times to refuel in a normal car, itd mean youd need to average 72mph as opposed to 70mph in the Previa to arrive at the same time.
It does, however, make Previa ownership a whole lot more affordable and that can only be a good thing.
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The D4-D engine is a slightly more powerful version of the diesel unit fitted to the Avensis family saloon, tuned in this instance to produce 114bhp. Rather than the power output, its the effortless pulling power of the engine that makes the Previa D-4D feel so strong and the 250Nm torque figure isnt far shy of what a
Porsche Boxster can muster. When that amount of twist action is available at just 1,800rpm, the Previa makes light work of accelerating from a standstill even when fully loaded with passengers and paraphernalia. Whilst the engine is relatively new to the Previa range, the shape is slowly becoming accepted by the UK motorist accustomed to the more conservative rounded shape of the Mk 1 Previa that was with us for ten years.
In 1990s form, this car attempted to provide the enthusiastic family motorist with a degree of driving satisfaction, courtesy of a bold mid-engined rear wheel drive layout. It didnt work. Not that the Previa handled badly: it just wasnt quite as good as some of its more conventional rivals. Not that typical
Toyota buyers will be overly interested in any of this. You dont buy a People Carrier to hurl round the lanes, especially not this one, so on to more practical virtues. Like the Previas ability almost unique in its class to carry up to eight people.
There are three rows of seats, with those in the middle and at the rear being benches that recline and slide back or forth to alter the amount of leg and luggage room. Opt to order your car in seven-
seat form and the middle bench is replaced by two individual seats.
"The Previa D-4D makes light work of accelerating from a standstill"
Though like the individual seats, the two split-folding benches are removable, they do have three disadvantages. The first is weight: even the basic chairs arent light and the benches require a real workout. The second is the Previas need to have somewhere to store the things should you take them from the vehicle. In the old model after all, the rearmost seats folded up into the side of the cabin: even better, some rivals allow you to store them under the floor. Finally, even leaving all of that aside, theres a safety issue in that those in the middle of each bench have to make do with a lap belt rather than the proper three-point affair. Start to remove those seats of course, and you quickly arrive at van-like levels of carrying capacity (103.4 cubic feet with two seats in place).
Fortunately, a van isnt the first thing that springs to mind on first acquaintance, thanks to the swoopy styling, a look Toyota calls One Wave. Its a pleasant mix of curves and creases, the only drawback being a tapering away at the rear, reducing back seat headroom by about an inch. Theres a curvy dashboard too, with the main instruments offset in current Toyota fashion, far forward and slightly to the drivers left. The stereo and heater controls are nearer to hand, prominent in a big oval binnacle raised up from the centre of the dash.
Prices range between £21,905 for a T2 up to £24,955 for a manual T Spirit. Having sampled both gearboxes and engines, we cant help but rue the non-availability of a diesel automatic. All versions feature those four airbags, digital climate controlled air conditioning, electric windows all round and a tilting steering column. Safety features such as anti lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist havent been skimped on and two ISOFIX child seat mounts keep the young ones well clamped in if the worst comes to the worst.
Remote central locking, electrically heated door mirrors and front armrests complete the picture. Trade up to T3 level and youll find roof rails, five spoke alloy wheels and the air conditioning features separate controls for the rear of the cabin. Cruise control is a welcome feature on long continental trips. The range-topping T Spirit adds rear darkened privacy glass, front and rear sunroofs and DVD satellite navigation with built-in Electronic Traffic Avoidance.
Its a very capable piece of technology. The advantage of offering DVD-based systems is that the disc can store as much information as thirteen CD-ROMs. Leather upholstery can also be specified. Combined fuel economy is substantially better with the D-4D engine and manual gearbox that its mated to (no auto option is yet available), and you can expect to see nigh-on 40mpg with a restrained right foot.
Rest to sixty occupies 13.6s on the way to a maximum of 109mph, though acceleration figures through the gears reveal some punchy mid-range power. Its not the quietest diesel engine out there, with some distinct clatter on start up, but once spooled up to speed it settles to an agreeable thrum. If the Previa package works for you but you cant countenance the fuel bills, the D-4D isnt a bad response.
It lacks the creamy throttle response and lazy automatic gearbox that makes the petrol-engined cars such a delight, but it nevertheless makes a compelling case for itself with big fuel savings, a muscular power delivery and the convenience of its infrequent visits to filling station forecourts. Just think of all the calories youll save when not being tempted to pick up a Mars Bar at the check out. Toyota Previa D4-D - the slimming MPV. Now theres an angle.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Toyota Previa D-4D Diesel range
PRICES: £21,905-£24,955 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 11
CO2 EMISSIONS: 191g/km
PERFORMANCE: Max Speed 109mph / 0-60mph 13.6s
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (urban) 31.4.mpg / (extra urban) 46.3mpg / (combined) 39.
2mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front airbags / ABS
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Heightmm 4750/1790/1795mm
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